MEDSURG MIDTERM EXAM WITH
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
UPGRADED ANSWERS 2026/2027
A new nurse is working with a preceptor on a medical-surgical unit. The preceptor advises the new nurse
that which is the priority when working as a professional nurse? - Answer-Ensuring Client Safety
A nurse is orienting a new client and family to the medical-surgical unit. What information does the
nurse provide to best help the client promote his or her own safety? - Answer-Encourage the client and
family to be active partners.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client on the surgical unit. The client's blood pressure was 142/76
mm Hg 30 minutes ago, and now is 88/50 mmHg. What action would the nurse take first? - Answer-Call
the rapid response team
A nurse wishes to provide client-centered care in all interactions. Which action by the nurse best
demonstrates this concept? - Answer-Assesses for the cultural influences affecting health care.
A client is going to be admitted for a scheduled surgical procedure. Which action does the nurse explain
is the most important thing the client can do to protect against errors? - Answer-Bring a list of all
medications and what they are for.
Which action by the nurse working with a client best demonstrates respect for autonomy? - Answer-
Asks if the client has questions before signing a consent.
A nurse asks a more seasoned colleague to explain best practices when communicating with a person
from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) community. What answer
by the faculty is most accurate? - Answer-Don't make assumptions about his or her health needs
,A nurse is calling the on-call health care provider about a client who had a hysterectomy 2 days ago and
has pain that is unrelieved by the prescribed opioid pain medication. Which statement comprises the
background portion of the SBAR format for communication? - Answer-"This client has allergies to
morphine and codeine."
A nurse working on a cardiac unit delegated taking vital signs to an experienced assistive personnel (AP).
Four hours later, the nurse notes that the client's blood pressure taken by the AP was much higher than
previous readings, and the client's mental status has changed. What action by the nurse would most
likely have prevented this negative outcome? - Answer-Providing more appropriate supervision of the
AP
A newly graduated nurse in the hospital states that because of being so new, participation in quality
improvement (QI) projects is not wise. What response by the precepting nurse is best? - Answer-"Even
being new, you can implement activities designed to improve care."
A nurse talking with a co-worker who is moving to a new state and needs to find new employment
there. What advice by the nurse is best? - Answer-Find a hospital that has achieved magnet status.
A nurse manager wishes to ensure that the nurses on the unit are practicing at their highest levels of
competency. Which areas would the manager assess to determine if the nursing staff demonstrate
competency according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Health Professions Education: A Bridge
to Quality? (SATA) - Answer--Collaborating with an interprofessional team
-Implementing evidence-based care
-Routinely using informatics in practice
-Using quality improvement in client care
A Nurse is interested in making interprofessional work a high priority. Which actions by the nurse best
demonstrate this skill? (SATA) - Answer--Consults with other disciplines on client care
-Coordinates discharge planning for home safety
-Participates in comprehensive client rounding
-Routinely asks other disciplines about client progress
,-Delegate tasks to unlicensed personnel appropriately.
The nurse utilizing evidence-based practice (EBP) considers which factors when planning care? (SATA) -
Answer--Nurses expertise
-Client preferences
-Research findings
-Values of the client
A nurse manager wants to improve hand-off communication among the staff which actions by the
manager would best help achieve this goal? (SATA) - Answer--Attend hand-off rounds to couch and
mentor
-Create a template of suggested topics to include in report
-Encourage staff to ask questions during hand-off
-Provide education on the SBAR method of communication
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The nurse asks the charge nurse why the client is breathing
rapidly. What response by the charge nurse is best? - Answer-The client is trying to get rid of excess
body acids.
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work which requires frequent care and plane
travel. What self-care measure does the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting in this client?
- Answer-Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse assess first for impaired cognition? -
Answer-An 88 year old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
The assistive personal (AP) reports to the registered nurse that a postoperative client has a pulse of 132
BPM and a blood pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What response by the nurse is most appropriate? -
Answer-Assess the client for pain
, A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates that outcomes for a priority
nursing diagnosis have been met? - Answer-Skin in perineal area is intact without redness on inspection
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's morning weight has not yet been
done. This nursing assistant says, "I'll get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond, the
nurse considers what information about weight? - Answer-Weight is the most accurate noninvasive
indicator of fluid status
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse
assess for gas exchange abnormalities first? - Answer-Brought in unconscious by roommate after opioid
overdose.
The nurse caring for a client with malnutrition assesses which laboratory value as the priority? - Answer-
Prealbumin
A nurse is planning primary prevention measures for community-dwelling adults to prevent visual
impairment. What action by the nurse will best mee the objective? - Answer-Offer a healthy lifestyle
class
The nurse tells the staff development nurse he/she is very uncomfortable discussing sexuality with
clients, especially those who are older. What suggestion by the staff development nurse is most
appropriate? - Answer-"Find a trusted friend and role play."
A nurse is planning a community education event-related to impaired cellular regulation. What teaching
topics would the nurse include in this event? (SATA) - Answer--Ways to minimize exposure to sunlight
-Resources available for smoking cessation
-Creative cooking techniques to increase dietary fiber
A nurse is caring for clients on an inclient surgical unit. Which clients does the nurses identify as having
risk for impaired immunity? (SATA) - Answer--86 years old
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
UPGRADED ANSWERS 2026/2027
A new nurse is working with a preceptor on a medical-surgical unit. The preceptor advises the new nurse
that which is the priority when working as a professional nurse? - Answer-Ensuring Client Safety
A nurse is orienting a new client and family to the medical-surgical unit. What information does the
nurse provide to best help the client promote his or her own safety? - Answer-Encourage the client and
family to be active partners.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client on the surgical unit. The client's blood pressure was 142/76
mm Hg 30 minutes ago, and now is 88/50 mmHg. What action would the nurse take first? - Answer-Call
the rapid response team
A nurse wishes to provide client-centered care in all interactions. Which action by the nurse best
demonstrates this concept? - Answer-Assesses for the cultural influences affecting health care.
A client is going to be admitted for a scheduled surgical procedure. Which action does the nurse explain
is the most important thing the client can do to protect against errors? - Answer-Bring a list of all
medications and what they are for.
Which action by the nurse working with a client best demonstrates respect for autonomy? - Answer-
Asks if the client has questions before signing a consent.
A nurse asks a more seasoned colleague to explain best practices when communicating with a person
from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) community. What answer
by the faculty is most accurate? - Answer-Don't make assumptions about his or her health needs
,A nurse is calling the on-call health care provider about a client who had a hysterectomy 2 days ago and
has pain that is unrelieved by the prescribed opioid pain medication. Which statement comprises the
background portion of the SBAR format for communication? - Answer-"This client has allergies to
morphine and codeine."
A nurse working on a cardiac unit delegated taking vital signs to an experienced assistive personnel (AP).
Four hours later, the nurse notes that the client's blood pressure taken by the AP was much higher than
previous readings, and the client's mental status has changed. What action by the nurse would most
likely have prevented this negative outcome? - Answer-Providing more appropriate supervision of the
AP
A newly graduated nurse in the hospital states that because of being so new, participation in quality
improvement (QI) projects is not wise. What response by the precepting nurse is best? - Answer-"Even
being new, you can implement activities designed to improve care."
A nurse talking with a co-worker who is moving to a new state and needs to find new employment
there. What advice by the nurse is best? - Answer-Find a hospital that has achieved magnet status.
A nurse manager wishes to ensure that the nurses on the unit are practicing at their highest levels of
competency. Which areas would the manager assess to determine if the nursing staff demonstrate
competency according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Health Professions Education: A Bridge
to Quality? (SATA) - Answer--Collaborating with an interprofessional team
-Implementing evidence-based care
-Routinely using informatics in practice
-Using quality improvement in client care
A Nurse is interested in making interprofessional work a high priority. Which actions by the nurse best
demonstrate this skill? (SATA) - Answer--Consults with other disciplines on client care
-Coordinates discharge planning for home safety
-Participates in comprehensive client rounding
-Routinely asks other disciplines about client progress
,-Delegate tasks to unlicensed personnel appropriately.
The nurse utilizing evidence-based practice (EBP) considers which factors when planning care? (SATA) -
Answer--Nurses expertise
-Client preferences
-Research findings
-Values of the client
A nurse manager wants to improve hand-off communication among the staff which actions by the
manager would best help achieve this goal? (SATA) - Answer--Attend hand-off rounds to couch and
mentor
-Create a template of suggested topics to include in report
-Encourage staff to ask questions during hand-off
-Provide education on the SBAR method of communication
A nurse is caring for a client who is acidotic. The nurse asks the charge nurse why the client is breathing
rapidly. What response by the charge nurse is best? - Answer-The client is trying to get rid of excess
body acids.
A client had a recent thromboembolism and must resume work which requires frequent care and plane
travel. What self-care measure does the nurse teach to reduce the risk of impaired clotting in this client?
- Answer-Get up and walk around at least every 2 hours while traveling.
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse assess first for impaired cognition? -
Answer-An 88 year old client 3 days post-hemorrhagic stroke
The assistive personal (AP) reports to the registered nurse that a postoperative client has a pulse of 132
BPM and a blood pressure of 168/90 mm Hg. What response by the nurse is most appropriate? -
Answer-Assess the client for pain
, A client has urinary incontinence. Which assessment finding indicates that outcomes for a priority
nursing diagnosis have been met? - Answer-Skin in perineal area is intact without redness on inspection
The registered nurse asks the nursing assistant why a cardiac client's morning weight has not yet been
done. This nursing assistant says, "I'll get to it, what's the big deal?" When deciding how to respond, the
nurse considers what information about weight? - Answer-Weight is the most accurate noninvasive
indicator of fluid status
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for four clients. Which client does the nurse
assess for gas exchange abnormalities first? - Answer-Brought in unconscious by roommate after opioid
overdose.
The nurse caring for a client with malnutrition assesses which laboratory value as the priority? - Answer-
Prealbumin
A nurse is planning primary prevention measures for community-dwelling adults to prevent visual
impairment. What action by the nurse will best mee the objective? - Answer-Offer a healthy lifestyle
class
The nurse tells the staff development nurse he/she is very uncomfortable discussing sexuality with
clients, especially those who are older. What suggestion by the staff development nurse is most
appropriate? - Answer-"Find a trusted friend and role play."
A nurse is planning a community education event-related to impaired cellular regulation. What teaching
topics would the nurse include in this event? (SATA) - Answer--Ways to minimize exposure to sunlight
-Resources available for smoking cessation
-Creative cooking techniques to increase dietary fiber
A nurse is caring for clients on an inclient surgical unit. Which clients does the nurses identify as having
risk for impaired immunity? (SATA) - Answer--86 years old
